Peace Love and Understanding
Elvis Costello \/ The Attractions Lyrics
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This wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity.
I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?
And each time I feel like this inside,
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding?
And as I walked on
Through troubled times
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
So where are the strong
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony
'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry.
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding?
So where are the strong?
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony
'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry.
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding? Ohhhh what's so fun about peace, love and understanding
The song "Peace Love and Understanding" by Elvis Costello & The Attractions is a poignant commentary on the state of the world, particularly during times of turmoil and chaos. The singer questions the existence of hope in a world filled with darkness, pain, and hatred, and wonders where the strong and trustworthy leaders are to establish harmony in a world of chaos. The repeated refrain of "What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding?" begs the question of why these concepts seem so elusive and unattainable.
The song seems to be a call to action, imploring individuals to strive for peace and understanding in the face of adversity. The lyrics suggest that the answer to the world's problems lies in these simple values, but for some reason, they are often dismissed or mocked. By questioning why peace and understanding are considered humorous or ridiculous, the singer is urging listeners to take these concepts seriously and work towards a better world.
Overall, "Peace Love and Understanding" is a powerful song that tackles complex themes in a simple, direct way. It is a reminder that in times of despair and uncertainty, the values of peace, love, and understanding are more important than ever.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walk through
As I journey through this world
This wicked world
This flawed and corrupted world
Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity.
Looking for positivity and hope amidst the chaos and madness.
I ask myself
I wonder to myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there no hope left?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?
Is there nothing but suffering, hostility, and distress?
And each time I feel like this inside,
Whenever I feel this way internally,
There's one thing I wanna know:
I have one question in mind:
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding? Ohhhh
What is amusing about people living in peace, loving one another, and understanding each other?
And as I walked on
As I continued on my journey
Through troubled times
Through challenging and difficult moments
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
Sometimes, my soul becomes unbearably discouraged
So where are the strong
Where are the powerful and resilient individuals
And who are the trusted?
Who can be relied upon?
And where is the harmony?
Where is the sense of unity and cooperation?
Sweet harmony
The desirable and pleasant harmony
'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry.
As each moment it disappears, it evokes such an intense feeling of sadness.
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding? Ohhhh
What is humorous about people living in peace, loving one another, and understanding each other?
So where are the strong?
Where are the powerful and resilient individuals?
And who are the trusted?
Who can be relied upon?
And where is the harmony?
Where is the sense of unity and cooperation?
Sweet harmony
The desirable and pleasant harmony
'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry.
As each moment it disappears, it evokes such an intense feeling of sadness.
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding? Ohhhh
What is humorous about people living in peace, loving one another, and understanding each other?
Ohhhh what's so fun about peace, love and understanding
Oh, why would people find living in peace, loving one another, and understanding each other fun?
Lyrics Š Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: NICHOLAS ORAIN LOWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tomodonovan5931
The fact that you are typing this today says that you have pulled through
all of that BS. To me, that is a great achievement on your part. Costello
only did a small part in helping you deal with reality. In 1979, you found
out that you were grown up. No more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
in your school lunch box. Life was starting to get a little more complicated.
We both graduated the same year. So we and others the same age were
dealing with the same issues that life throws in your direction. And that
was an uncertain future! Nobody without a crystal ball has any idea what
it holds. And that is something a young person has to worry about. But first
you have to prove to the adults around you that you can handle it. Parents,
Teachers, and Bosses, or Managers. It would have been much easier to just
put this album on a turntable and let it spin forever, but something tells me
you were not cut out to sit and watch a spinning turntable forever. You had
to take off the headphones and make a decent living somehow. Now it's
time to really enjoy Costello. You've dealt with the BS , and now have the time
to watch that turntable spin for a little while.
@tomodonovan5931
@@giovannaparente917 We all know those years are gone forever. But music?
No. There may not be the wave of great music from those decades, but
sometimes if you listen closely, you may hear the ripple of a good song here,
and there. Listen to what the kids are listening to. Sometimes you find
yourself asking who is that? They do the same thing when they hear a
song that you listened to years before they came into this world. I had a few
co-workers who were into Rap music. They formed a band and invited me to
their first concert. I knew it was their passion in life, and once I got over the
shock of being frisked before I got into the venue, I actually enjoyed the
experience. They opened for The Notorious B.I.G. I got to go to the greenroom
after two or three security checks, and it was all Los Angeles back there.
Diamond rings and Diamond things all over the place. Rich, and stylish cultured
males, and very beautiful females. Friendly, yet very curious about me being there.
The point is, I am always fascinated by culture. If it is music, art, tradition, I always
remember to be respectful when discovering it. Maybe my co-workers did not succeed
in their musical dreams, but they succeeded in opening my eyes to a new and positive
experience. You don't have to travel to another country to see, or hear new things. They
can be closer then you think.
@worldlyconcerns
As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity.
I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?
And each time I feel like this inside,
There's one thing I want to know:
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?
And as I walked on
Through troubled times
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
So where are the strong
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony.
'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me want to cry.
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?
So where are the strong?
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony.
'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me want to cry.
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?
@ronaldzent6321
This song should be BLASTED everyday during every meeting at the UN General Assembly and at the White House and both halls of legislation!!!
@paulpliakas3000
Great idea!!!!
@bryonmollica
We need this more than ever today
@jeffthompson6431
I'm playing this song over and over again during these horrible times. Thank you Elvis and Nick for your beautiful work.
@doughusen1806
This AM it was on my mind too!
@ExPatinUK
Better times are coming. Especially if we are still watching this
@mariec.9102
âŽď¸â¤ď¸"So where are the strong and who are the trusted?" That line means so much 40 years later. I'm 55 and happy I bought this album when I was 14.
@earthdakini
Me too this song was on my mind today, just had to have a listen this evening.
@jeffthompson6431
@@mariec.9102 I bought it when I was 18. I still have it and the single it came with. Super Great Record.
@eleanorgiblin5800
Could any song be more timely, or timeless?